Minerals of Ceylon, 359 
where they are found, that it is unnecessary to add any thing 
here. 
Lead, tin, and iron ores are found in the interior, but they 
are never wrought or applied to any purpose. 
There were several mines of quicksilver wrought by the 
Dutch in Ceylon. In 1797> colonel Robertson found out one 
at Cotta, about six miles from Columbo. The quantity we 
procured from it did' not exceed six pounds, but it afforded a most 
useful and seasonable supply to the garrison, as at that particu- 
lar time ■ all we had was exhausted, and mercury was tlie prin- 
cipal remedy resorted to in all liver complaints. 
Although some quicksilver was still procured from this mine, 
yet the labour and expence attending it was so great, owing to 
the want of experienced and skilful workmen, that it was judged 
proper to give up working it altogether, before I lelt the island, 
I have since been informed that the undertaking has been re- 
sumed at the same place with more success. 
In this article of quicksilver we had a remarkable instance 
of the secrecy with which the Dutch carried on all their trans- 
actions in this island ; for previous to the discovery of the mine at 
Cotta, we never knew that this mineral had ever been found 
here, nor did any of the Dutch inhabitants ever hint the cir- 
cumstance to us, although they had at different times extracted 
large quantities. They indeed observed the same policy in 
every other instance, and never gave us any piece of infor-- 
matioii v/hich it was in their power to withhold. 
I may here introduce an account of some springs possessed 
of peculiar qualities, which are situated at Cannia, about six 
miles from the fort of Trincomalee, on the road to Candy. 
These waters are reckoned very efficacious in cases of the rheu- 
8 
